Proceed With Caution When Limiting Employee Communications

June 23, 2015By: Amy L. Groff

Federal law protects employees' right to discuss the terms and conditions of their employment with their colleagues and others. Especially in the age of social media, be sure that your policies and agreements governing employee communications don't unlawfully limit those rights.

Employers are facing increased scrutiny from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over social media policies and other employment policies and agreements that could be read to restrict certain employee communications. This scrutiny applies to both union and nonunion employers and arises from Sections 7 and 8 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).